Sport
16 April, 2026
Power-ing home to take the points
KOLORA-Noorat has delivered incoming senior football coach Shane Scanlon a first up win, defeating Panmure by 26 points in the round one clash at the Noorat Recreation Reserve.
“It was a bit of an unknown going in, we probably weren’t really sure with our group because we had some good experienced players there, but a lot of youth as well,” Scanlon said.
Panmure had the best of the first half, leading by two points going into the main break.
“Based on the numbers, inside 50s, that sort of stuff, we were probably on top in the first half we felt.
“We just didn’t quite have as much luck in terms of scoring, we had a few shots for goal hit the post or touched off the boot and that sort of thing; we spent more time in our forward half, we were just struggling a little bit to convert.”
The Power ran away with the game in the second half, kicking eight goals and 11 behinds to Panmure’s five goals and one behind to record a 26-point win.
“My message at the breaks was just that we’re doing well, we’re probably on top, it’s just not quite hitting the scoreboard yet, but if we persist, then that will come, and eventually that’s what happened.”
The youth on show was a great sight for the Power mentor.
“Probably the most pleasing thing was we had five playing that are under 18s, and we had another five that are last year’s under 18s.
“Last year we had similar games like that where a side might have got a little bit of run on and we weren’t able to steady and then go again, which having a young side, I was a little bit worried during that last quarter that they might come over the top of us, but we played our best passage of footy in that last 10 minutes of the game to run away pretty comfortably in the end.”
While nine of their 10 teenagers had tasted senior football before, Xavier Riches made his senior debut after coming through the Power’s junior ranks.
Terang Mortlake recruit Jack Lehmann made his debut for the Power and was named in the best.
“Jack played predominantly off half back and had a few little stints in the midfield, he has good footy smarts and knows where to go, has good strength and is a lovely left foot kick.
“He could potentially at some stage go forward, he’s pretty crafty as well, at the moment we probably just need him down back, there’s a fair few out of the side from last year that were backmen, so we probably need to fill some spots there more so than the other parts of the ground.”
Former coach Sam Uwland kicked three goals and was best on ground in the win.
“Sam carried a lot of injuries during the year last year, and being a playing coach, he would still be trying to play even if not right and things like that.
“But he’s had a pretty uninterrupted pre-season, he’s pretty fit, he was excellent on Saturday.
“It’s a big asset for the club that he’s stayed on in a playing role, so we’re lucky to still have him here.”
In the reserves, Panmure was too strong, winning 10.13.73 to 4.4.28.
Craig King, Damon Anders, Caleb McLean and Fletcher Tolland were best for the Power seconds, with Anders, Jack Pekin, Nathan Glennen and Ethan McMaster kicking a goal each.
The only junior football game played was the under 13.5s, with Kolora-Noorat winning by a point, 3.3.21 to 3.2.20, the first win for the Power in this age group for 691 days.
Crawford Dunn, Riley McIntosh and Archie Coxon were best for the Power, with McIntosh kicking two goals and Coxon one.
WARRNAMBOOL & DISTRICT FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
SENIOR FOOTBALL
Kolora Noorat 11.19 (85) defeated Panmure 9.5 (59)
The Power’s A grade netball team also started with a win, defeating Panmure 40-28.
“We had a good start which was good considering the team’s basically new,” Kolora-Noorat co-coach Lillie Bourke said.
“It’s a completely different look to last year’s team.”
Tara Elliott was best on court for Kolora-Noorat in her senior debut for the club.
Elliott wore the Power colours as an under 13 and under 15 before her family moved away, most recently she played for Rokewood-Corindhap.
Elliott shot 11 goals in the first half playing as goal shooter, before then switching to goal defence in the second half.
“It’s so good to have a player with that versatility.
“She’s incredible and she’s very strong under the ring at both ends, she uses her height and is just a really nice addition to our team.”
Bourke led the scorers with 16 goals, while recruit Sophie Lehmann, in her first game at the club, came off the bench for the second half and shot 13 goals.
“Sophie has crossed over from Winchelsea, she’s a Mortlake girl who has moved home.
“She’s a great addition to the team and played really well.”
This week in A grade Kolora-Noorat take on an Old Collegians team fresh off giving Dennington a 98-7 belting.
The A reserve game saw Panmure score a 27-21 win.
Best for the Power were Jessica Beasley, Ashlee Holmes and Hayley Collins, with Collins shooting 11 goals.
In the B grade netball, Kolora-Noorat scored a 37-34 win.
Alexis Ameduri was best for the Power and scored 18 goals, with Emily Hayden and Grace Roberts also among the best players.
The 17 and under netball saw the Power win 25-16.
Mayci Dwyer, Eliza Beaton and Stella Kavenagh were best, with Beaton shooting all 25 goals in the win.
The 15 and under game saw a 29-24 win to Kolora-Noorat.
Jade Byron, Zoe Roberts and Isla Spokes were the Power’s best, with Spokes shooting 16 goals and Skyla Coburn 13.
Panmure was too strong in the 13 and under netball, winning 30-1.
Clancey Greene and Savannah Davis were best for Kolora-Noorat.
In the 11 and under game, Panmure scored a 16-2 win.
Best for the Power were Holly Davis, Sophie Simpson and Ayla Greer.